Stub-tube connection for space-frame structures



Feb. 4, 1969 D. E. OWENS Filed Oct. 10. 1966 INVENTOR. 0A V/D E. OWE/V5United States Patent 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A connectingmember for uniting the several web and chord members of a space-framestructure which come together at spaced points therein, comprising ashort length of cylindrical pipe welded to one of the chord members.

Background of the invention Space-frame structures usually comprisespaced chord members interconnected by individual web members such asrods or tubes extending therebetween at various angles to the chordmembers. Numerous web members converge at points spaced throughout thestructure and the problem of connecting them to each other and the chordmembers has been difificult. To solve this problem special junctionmembers have been proposed but all those with which I am familiar are soexpensive that their use materially increases the cost of the overallstructure.

Description of the invention My invention is a simple and inexpensivejunction member to which the chord and web members of a spaceframestructure may be easily secured at low cost. My improved junction memberis a short length of cylindrical pipe of suitable size, adapted to standon lower chord members and be secured thereto, and serving as a shortpost to which the web members may be secured at various pointsthereabout.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from thefollowing detailed description and explanation which refer to theaccompanying drawings illustrating the present preferred embodiment. Inthe drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of a space-framestructure having my invention incorporated therein;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a of my junction member; and

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section through the connecting member of FIGURE2, showing the attachment of chord and web members thereto.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and, for the present, to FIGUREI particularly, a space-frame structure comprises upper chord members 11and lower chord members 12. In both cases, the chord members areintersecting metal strip lengths having a central longitudinal rib 13welded at their points of intersection. Web members in the form of rodsor tubes 14 extend from zmodified form points of intersection of thelower chord members to various points on the upper chord members.

My invention is the junction member 15 standing at the points ofintersection of the lower chord members and secured thereto as bywelding. Members 15 are short lengths of cylindrical pipe disposed onone end which is notched to clear ribs 13. Web members 14 have theirlower ends welded to pipe length 15 at points spaced circumferentiallythereabout. Most of the web members 14 are disposed at oblique angles tothe chord members but one web member 14 at each point of intersection ofthe chord members is normal thereto, extends axially into the alinedmember 15 and is welded to the chord members 12. The upper ends of webmembers 14 and 14' are welded to the chord members 11, at points ofintersection thereof and at points midway between intersections.

The modified junction member 16 shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 is also acylindrical pipe length but has notches 17 formed in one end thereof.These notches receive the lower ends of web members 14, as shown inFIGURE 3, and the latter are secured by welding. The advantage of thisform of junction member is that the web members may have square-cut endsinstead of requiring an angled cut as in the case of the junction member15.

It will be evident that my invention provides a junction member of lowcost, capable of easy installation in shop or field and permitting easyfabrication of web members. The invention thus enables space-framestructures to be competitive with other types of floor or roofconstruction.

Although I have disclosed herein the preferred embodiment of myinvention, I intend to cover as well any change or modification thereinwhich may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. A space-frame structure including upper and lower sets of chordmembers and web members extending therebet-ween, wherein the improvementcomprises a unitary length of cylindrical pipe having one end bearing onand secured to the chord members of one of said sets, the ends of webmembers adjacent said one set of said chord members being secured to thelateral surface of said pipe length at points spaced circumferentiallythereabout.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized by the other end ofsaid pipe length having circumferentially spaced notches thereinextending inwardly therefrom for only a small portion of said length,the ends of said web members being seated in said notches.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,931,467 4/ 1960 Fentiman 287542,964,147 12/ 1960 Fentiman 287-54 3,220,152 11/ 1965 Sturm 52-648 BOBBYR. GAY, Primary Examiner.

R. D. KRAUS, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 287-54, 189.36

